UK weather maps show 14 areas under 20C this week during heatwave | Weather | News

As the UK is hit by an unusually intense May heatwave this Bank Holiday weekend, forecasters have warned that parts of the country could see record temperatures. Much of the focus is on London and the South East, where temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid-30s. Sunday was the warmest May day for nearly 80 years after 32.3 degrees were recorded at London’s Kew Gardens.

But while much of the country is enjoying clear skies and unusually warm temperatures, a weather map shows some areas are still missing out on the warmest conditions. A. WX Graphics The temperature forecast for 3pm on Monday shows many parts of Scotland remaining below the 20C mark, although cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen were just above that temperature and only dipped below 20C in the early evening.

In contrast, colder spots are mainly in the Highlands and the far northern and western coastal areas. According to the map, temperatures are expected to remain below 20C in areas around Inverness, Fort William, Ullapool, Wick, Thurso and parts of the Outer Hebrides. The Northern Isles are also quite cold, with parts of Orkney and Shetland well below the threshold and the lowest temperature around 11C.

As well as Scotland, Northern Ireland also has several cool areas, particularly along the northern and eastern coastlines. Places around Derry, Coleraine, Ballycastle, Donaghadee and Portaferry are shown hovering around or below 20C. Larne appears to be one of the coldest spots in Northern Ireland, with temperatures around 17 degrees at 3pm. Belfast and the interior of Northern Ireland appear to be warmer, with readings often above 20C.

The WXCharts map suggests much of the UK is warm or in the hot zone, making the very few areas below 20C stand out even more during one of the most talked about May heat events for years. Either way, the options are pretty limited for anyone looking to escape the heat.

For those not lucky enough to avoid the scorching storm, the Met Office and UKHSA advise avoiding direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm, when temperatures are highest. When it’s hot outside, stay cool by keeping windows and curtains closed, drinking plenty of water, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding strenuous physical activity.